Laguna Beach 68 Good
Laguna Beach Livability #276 ranked city in California#9,291 ranked city in the USARanks better than 68% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Laguna Beach

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Employment Employment

    This area scores extremely well in the employment category. This is primarily due to the combination of low unemployment rates, higher median home income and income per capita.

  • Schools Schools

    A high score in the schools category could be the result of elements like top-notch test scores, high education levels and the convenient location of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Factors like poor air quality and the absence of essential health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies could have played a role in the low score in this category.

What's it like Living in Laguna Beach?

Laguna Beach is a mid-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 23,724 residents. The majority of Laguna Beach residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Laguna Beach is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 51, which is well beyond the United States median age average. The average American spends about 26 minutes on their one way commute to work each day. Lower travel times can increase overall happiness and allow for more time to be spent with family and friends. While living in Laguna Beach, your commute times will be about average, with a one way commute time of 27 minutes.

Are you trying to ascertain if living in Laguna Beach is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like crime, employment, housing and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Laguna Beach and in the areas around Laguna Beach is a much easier task.

Laguna Beach has a livability score of 66 out of 100 and is ranked #343 in California and #10,745 in the USA. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Laguna Beach ranks well for education (A+), employment (A+) and housing (B-) There are some categories that Laguna Beach ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 167 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Laguna Beach boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Standardized school test scores offer a valuable benchmark for assessing the quality of educational programs, instructional methods, and curriculum effectiveness. Recognizing that Laguna Beach schools excel in test scores is a crucial consideration when determining the suitability of this area for residence. The local schools boast an impressive average test score of 80%, significantly higher than the national average. This stellar academic performance not only attests to the excellence of the educational system but also underscores the area's commitment to providing a high-quality education, making Laguna Beach an appealing choice for those prioritizing their children's educational prospects.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Laguna Beach excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Laguna Beach is real estate affordability. The median home price for Laguna Beach homes is $3,466,068, which is 373.7% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Laguna Beach, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 17.8, which is 131.2% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Laguna Beach

See all the best places to live around Laguna Beach

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      Laguna Beach transportation information

      Statistic Laguna Beach California National
      Average one way commute27min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work67.5%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.9%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.5%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home21.9%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Laguna Beach, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.